mused about doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"mused about doing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing contemplation or reflection on a potential action or idea. Example: She mused about doing a road trip across the country. Alternative expressions include "pondered doing" and "contemplated doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Trump has openly mused about doing so, and has considered firing Mr. Rosenstein, too.

The New York Times

In 2005, he mused about doing away with playing the anthems before matches after a few instances of fans' heckling rival nations.

The New York Times

A still greater drawback is the threat of an artist or record company withdrawing from Spotify altogether, as Brian Brandt, the owner of the contemporary-classical label Mode Records, mused about doing in an essay posted on the Webzine NewMusicBox.

The New York Times - Arts

Back in August, he mused about doing a sequel, which again, he said would be a spinoff starring different characters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's about doing".

The New Yorker

Don't ask about "doing it".

WikiHow

Think about doing workouts outside.

WikiHow

OK, it wasn't as if there were a critical mass of pundits declaring that South Sydney could go through 2015 undefeated — which no team has done since St George in a 10-team, 18-game competition in 1959 — but it was mused about here and there, and I admit I did ponder it myself earlier this week in the five minutes I allocate every week for whimsy.

The Guardian - Sport

All day Monday, the blogosphere and the talk shows mused about which party would come out ahead politically.

The New York Times

Some applaud him for mollifying a president who has openly mused about firing Mr. Mueller.

The New York Times

O'Reilly, the most popular figure in cable news, has publicly mused about retiring at the end of his contract next year.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase in contexts where the subject has the leisure to think without the pressure of an immediate deadline.

Common error

A frequent mistake is following the verb with an infinitive, such as 'mused to do'. Always use the preposition 'about' or 'on' followed by the gerund '-ing' form to maintain idiomatic correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mused about doing" functions as a verbal construction where the intransitive verb "muse" (meaning to reflect or be absorbed in thought) is followed by a prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it typically introduces a gerund ("doing") to describe a potential action that is being contemplated without immediate intent. It follows standard English idiomatic patterns where verbs of thought take the preposition "about" or "on".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mused about doing" is a sophisticated way to describe a subject in a state of contemplation. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in high-quality journalism to portray public figures weighing their options without reaching a final decision. While it is categorized as rare due to its specific nuance, it remains a grammatically correct and elegant choice for writers aiming to convey a sense of philosophical or detached deliberation. By avoiding the common error of using an infinitive and opting for the gerund, writers can effectively use this phrase to add depth to their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemplated doing

implies a deeper, more serious level of consideration

mused on doing

uses the preposition 'on', which is equally idiomatic and slightly more formal

pondered doing

suggests a quiet or heavy weighing of an idea

toyed with the idea of doing

highlights a lack of serious commitment or a playful approach to the thought

ruminated on doing

implies turning an idea over in one's mind repeatedly

considered doing

a more direct and common way to express thinking about an action

thought about doing

the most common, everyday equivalent to the phrase

reflected on doing

focuses more on the past or the philosophical implications of an action

deliberated over doing

implies a formal or very careful decision-making process

speculated about doing

suggests imagining the hypothetical outcomes of an action

FAQs

How to use "mused about doing" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a thoughtful reflection, such as: "The director "mused about doing" a silent film for his next project but ultimately chose a musical."

What can I say instead of "mused about doing"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "contemplated doing" for a more serious tone or "toyed with the idea of doing" for a lighter tone.

Is "mused about doing" correct in formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly correct and quite effective in formal or journalistic writing when describing someone's internal thought process.

Which is better, "mused about doing" or "mused on doing"?

Both are correct and largely interchangeable. "mused on doing" may feel slightly more academic or traditional, while "about" is more common in modern media.